P" 
475 

.53 




BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG 

BY WILLIAM A. SCOTT, Esq. 




PRICE 30 CENTS; 



Address, WM. A. SCOTT, Attorney, 

GETTYSBURG. PA. 

COPYRIGHT APPLIED FOR JULY 10. 1906. 






L! 8RA.fi Y :>t C( 

JUL 11 »%:• 



J 



1 



The Battle of Gettysburg* 



GETTYSBURG was founded in 1780 by James Gettys. In 1800 it 
became the county-seat of Adams county, Pennsylvania. In 1807 it 
became a borough. Before the war it was celebrated for its car- 
riages, Gettysburg College, the Lutheran Theological Seminary and 
as the home of the Hon. Thaddeus Stevens, the War Horse of the 
House and the Father of the Common School System of Pennsyl- 
vania. 

During the War of the Rebellion Adams county furnished the 
Union Army 3,400 soldiers and the Rebel Army about a dozen re- 
cruits out of a population of 22,000. Also had a Union League and 
Golden Circle. 

The only Adams county troops who participated in the battle 
were Co. K, 1st Penua. Reserves, Capt. Minuigh of Gettysburg. 

June 1st, 1883. the Rebel Army began to slip away from 
Hooker's front at Fredericksburg, Va., to carry the war into the 
north. Lee's troops arrived in the vicinity of Winchester, Va., 
about June 12th. Milroy had refused to obey orders and retreated 
and on the 13th and 14th his 6,000 men were surrounded and scat- 
tered to the four winds of the earth, half of his force killed, wounded 
or captured, together with 23 cannon and millions of dollars worth 
of military stores. It was only the superhuman bravery of his men 
that enabled any of them to escape after they were given the order 
for every brigadier general of them to look out for himself. 

Cutting their way through superior numbers, charging bat- 
teries, Milroy's men pushed on, stopping at every available point to 
.. ffcnrl back the enemy, then continuing their flight, the infantry out- 
rched the cavalry. As the routed army crossed the Potomac it 
scattered and amalgamated with the home guards of Pennsylvania 
from the Alleghenys to the Susquehanna and rendered the latter 
much more effective. 

By the 25th of June the Rebels occupied the Cumberland Val- 
ley from Martinsburg, W. Va., to within sight of the spires of Har- 
risburg, Penna. Stuart's cavalry being licked at Brandy Station 
and Aldie was forced to ride around the right of the Union Army. 
Imbodeu's brigade of cavalry and 150 of White's guerrillas were the 
only mounted troops with Lee. As the Rebels advanced the people 
fled wifh their movable property, horses, cattle, groceries, store 
goods, etc., after offering such resistance as was possible, each sec- 
tion furnishing scouts, bush-whackers, men with axes who felled 
trees across the roads, telegraphed information of the movements, 
strength, etc., of the enemy to Harrisburg and Washington 

On June 23d Henry Honn drew a line across the Chambers- 
burg pike 2 miles west of Cashtown, Adams county, Pa., and swore 
he would shoot the first rebel that crossed it. An hour afterwards 



White's guerrillas, 150 strong, rode over the line. Honn's rifle 
cracked and a Johnnie rolled oh" in the dust. White's guerrillas 
skedaddled. Houn took to the brush and his ritie cracked frequently 
during the invasion. 

\ day or two after this Maj. John Scott of Gettysburg with ±i 
men disputed the passage of Monterey Gap in the Blue Ridge with 
Early's division of 10,000 men. White's guerrilla's, 150 men, canie 
up in Scott's rear, having crossed the mountain by the Cold Springe 
road and Scott would have been captured but Maj. lialler with the 
Philadelphia City Troop. 100 strong, retreated on the lope, the dust 
was a foot deep) and they raised so much dust that when .Maj. Bell 
with tinmen armed with single shot horse pistols, cap locked, and 
Baber charged White he skedaddled so fast he hadn't time to pick 
up Scott and his men. The only names of Scott's men I remember 
are John Burns, hero of Gettysburg, .John Roth, a lame printer, .las. 
Wilson, who died at the Soldiers Home at Hampton, Va.. and Hy. 
Mickley, afterwards a soldier in the Union army. 

Harvey Cobean. one of Bell's scouts, was surprised by White's 
men coming up behind him. He turned the blind eye of his horse 
to the enemy, slipped his horse pistols and sabre through the fence 
and coolly collided the enemy. When the road was clear he rode 
hack and "reported to Maj. Bell. 

Cashtown sent a squad into the mountains who picked off 
many of the spies, videttes, scouts, stragglers, foragers, etc, of the 

enemy. 

Arendtsville and vicinity sent a squad ot twenty-five men 
who bushwhacked theenemyas they came through the Blue Ridge. 

Gettysburg, Gettysburg College, the Lutheran Seminary and 
the surrounding country raised a company of men 100 strong which 
was Co. A of the 26th Pa. militia, of which hereafter. This section 
also organized Bell's Cavalry, 60 strong. Capt. Bell captured 500 
scouts, foragers, spies, etc., from the enemy and kept them west of 
the Blue Ridge for a couple weeks. He was greatly assisted by 
Dutch Charlie, a Milroy skedaddler. 

on June 25th the 26th Pa. Militia under Col. Jennings ar- 
rived at Gettysburg. About 8 A. M. June 26th Maj. Hal ler ordered 
them out the Ohambersburg pike against F.ariy's Division, Col. 
Jennings, the commander ot the regiment, protesting, Bell having 
informed Haller and Jennings of the Rebel strength. Three mile- 
out the pike the militia came upon the enemy. When they tried 
to load their guns they had to bite all the paper off the bullets to 
get them down. Alter being discharged a few times it was impossi- 
ble to reload the guns. The militia were soon outflanked and 
forced to retreat to Harrisburg, during which retreat about two 
hundred of them were captured. Among the captured were many 
college boys of Co. A. They were corralled on Christ Church steps. 
JuhaT Early rode up and inspected them. He grinned all over his 
face and said : "Hi, you little hoys must have slipped out of your 
mothers' band-boxes, you look so nice. Now he oil" home to your 
mothers. If I catch you again I'll spank you all." and they let 
them go. 

White's guerrillas and Early's Div. pushed Bell and the City 
Troop out of Gettysburg June 26th, killing Private Sandoe of Bell's 
men. 



As Early's Div. left the east end of Gettysburg Henry McNair, 
Geo. Gwynn and two other Adams county boys of Capt. Horner's 
company, Cole's Md. Katalliou, dashed in and captured a dispatch 
bearer from Ewell to Early. The capture of that dispatch bearer 
caused Early to march to Wrightsville and back to Heidlersburgand 
probably saved the fall of Harrisburg, Pa. McNair took the dis- 
patch bearer to Reynolds and became his guideduriug the campaign. 

On June 28th Merritt skirmished with Stuart at Westminster, 
Md. June :29th Kilpatrick and Stuart had a brush at Littlestown, 
Pa. Thatevemug two of Kilpatrick's regiments came to Gettysburg 
and returned to Littlestown. On June 30th Kilpatrick fought in the 
streets of Hanover, the citizens coming to Kilpatrick's support, he 
being much weaker than Stuart. Stuart was driven off. On July 
2d Kilpatrick and Stuart had a brush at Huuterstown, Pa. Kil- 
patrick got the worst of it. On June 28 Hooker resigned because 
Halleck would not give him 10,000 men at Harpers Ferry under 
French. Said troops were offered Meade as soon as he took com- 
mand. Had not Halleck added this blunder to his many blunders 
Lee's army would have been captured. 

JUNE 28th. Lee at Chambersburg learned that the Army of 
the Potomac had crossed the Potomac. He immediately ordered 
his army to concentrate at Gettysburg, to attack the Army of the 
Potomac in detail. As night fell June 30th the two armies were 
distant from Gettysburg as follows : Longstreet's Corps, Chambers- 
burg, 25 miles west by north, 30,000 men ; Hill's Corps. 35,000 men, 
Heath's Div., 10,000 men, Marsh Creek, 3 miles west of Gettysburg, 
Pender's Div., 12,500 men, Cashtowu, 8 miles west by north; An- 
derson's Div., 12,500 men, Fayetteville, 18 miles in the same direc- 
tion ; Ewell 's Corps, 32,500 men, Johnson's Div., 10,000 men, Fay- 
etteville; Rodes' Div.. 12,500 men, Heidlersbnrg, 10 miles from 
Gettysburg in a northeast direction ; Early's Div., 10,000 men, a 
mile further away ; Stuart with 7.500 cavalry and 2,500 mounted in- 
fantry, Dover, 28 miles east of Gettysburg. 

Lee's army consisted of 10,000 cavalry. 

2,500 mounted infantry. 
95.000 infantry. 
5,000 artillery. 

Total 117,500 men. 
The Union Army under General George Meade : 1st Corps, 8 200 
men, Marsh Creekou the Emmitsburg road, 5 miles southeast of Get- 
tysburg; 11th Corps, 9,000 men, Emmitsburg, 11 miles southwest ; 
3d Corps, 9,000 men, Bridgeport, Md., 17 miles southeast*; 2d Corps, 
15,000 men, Uniontowu, Md., 20 miles south ; 6th Corps, 16,000 men, 
Manchester, Md., 34 miles southeast; oth Corps, Union Mills, Md., 
20 miles southeast; 3d Corps, 1 mile east of Littiestowu, 11 miles 
southwest ; Buford with 3,000 cavalry at Gettysburg ; Huey's Brig- 
ade Kilpatrick's Div., Westminster, Md.; Kilpatrick, Hanover. 
The Union Army consisted of the 

1st Corps, 8,200 men. 

2d Corps, 15,000 

3d Corps, 9,000 

6th Corps, 16,000 

11th Corps, 9,000 



12th Corps, 9,000 
5th Corps, 9,000 

Total Infantry, 75,200 men. 
Cavalry, 10,000 
Artillery, 5,000 

Total 90,200 men. 

Meade said of all arms his army at Gettysburg numbered 
a I .out 100,000. 

Meade ordered the 6th Corps to remain at Manchester, the 5th 
to Hanover, 2d to Taneytown, 3d to Emmitsburg, 1st to Gettysburg, 
11th to Marsh Creek, 12th to Two Taverns, 5 miles southeast of 
Gettysburg, all corps to move at 5 A. M. Meade's great mistake 
was in not ordering the whole army to Gettysburg, but he refused 
to believe the information furnished him by Pleasanton and insisted 
that Lee's army was east of him. Indeed Meade ignored Pleasanton 
during the whole battle and that probably accounts for the grevious 
blunders he made. Buford notified Meade of the location and num- 
bers of the enemy on the evening of June 30th. Hon. Theodore 
McAllister, then of Cole's Md. Ba tall ion, had viewed the Rebel 
cami is ail(l reported to the Union commander a little previous to 
this time. 

FIRST DAY'S BATTLE. Reynolds was in command of the 
11th, 1st and 3d < lorps composing the Union left wing. 

Half a mile west of Centre Square, Gettysburg, Seminary 
Ridge raises its head. A quarter of a mile further another ridge 
raises. Quarter of a mile further McPherson's Ridge raises and 
-lopes to Willoughby's Run, a mile and a half from Centre Square. 
1,000 yards to the northeast the three ridges amalgamate, forming 
oak Ridge, a plateau 600 yards square, from which artillery enfil- 
aded all three ridges. Gamble's Brigade camped on McPherson's 
Ridge. With them were three of Oalef's 6 pound rifles. Devin's 
Brigade camped on the Mummasburg pike one mile north of Get- 
tysburg and was accompanied by three of Oalef's guns. About 8 
A. M.July 1st, 1863, Buford'-s Videttes exchanged compliments 
with the Rebel pickets 'on Marsh Creek, 3 miles west ol Gettysburg 
Buford's dismounted cavalry delayed the Rebels so much that it was 
iboul 9.80 before the latter reached Herr's Ridge and deployed 
Archer's Brigade to the south of the pike to attack the 84th N. Y. 
and 95th X. Y. of Cutler's Brigade, 1st Corps, which had come up 
and relieved the cavalry, while Davis' Brigade deployed to the 
north of the pike to attack the 70th X. Y., . r ,i;th Pa. and 147th X. Y. 
of the same brigade, formed to the north of the 2d railroad cut we^t 
of Gettysburg, with the 7(>th X. Y. on the right and the 147th X. Y. 
on the left. Hall's Battery had relieved Tidbajl's, and the cavalry 
had gone to look tor Early and Rodes Divs. and prevent them from 
coming up in the rear before- the 11th, 3d and 12th Corps could yet 
up to receive them. Davis' Brigade struck the Hanks of the three 
regiments it attacked, doubling the 147th X. Y. back against the 
railroad cut, the 2d Miss, rushing into the cut in their rear; th< 
Pa. and the 76th X. Y. were forced back to the Seminary Ridge. Two 
of Hall's guns were captured, two disabled. Archer's skirmishers 
had penetrated McPherson's Orove on the flank of the 84th N. Y., 
etc. Reynolds was shot through the head by one of Archer's skir- 



mishers. It was now 10.15 A. M. The 2d Wis. charge into Rey- 
nolds Grove and form on the left of the 95th N. Y. The fire of the 
three regiments stop Archer in the bed of Willonghby's Run ; the 
19th Ind., 24th Mich, and 7th Wis. take Archer on the right flauk. 
Archer and half of his brigade are captured and the assault repulsed. 
Doubleday took the 6th Wis. of Meredith's Brigade, the 84th and 
95th N. Y. of Cutler's Brig, and charged Davis in flank, capturing 
half of his brigade and driving the remainder back wilh terrible 
slaughter. The 2d Miss, was captured entire. Hall's guns were re- 
captured. Tidbail's Battery relieved Hall's. 8,000 had whipped 
5,000 and taken 2,500 prisoners. The fighting ceased until 1 P. M. 
when the Rebels reformed their lines as follows : Pender's Div. had 
arrived from Cashtown and Rodes' and Early's Divisions from 
Heidlersburg. Archer was put on the right, behind him was Lane's 
Brigade, then came Pettigrew, supported by Perrin, then Brocken- 
brough, supported by Scales. This brought the Rebel line from the 
Hagerstown road to the Chambersburg pike. Here there was an 
angle. Davis faced this angle, then came three of Daniel's Regts. 
facing south, theu three more facing east in front of the 147th N. Y ., 
56th Pa. and 76th N. Y. Behind Daniel's was Ramseur's Brigade. 
Theu came Iverson's Brigade and behind it coming down the crest 
of Seminary Rid^e from Oak Hill O'Neal's Brigade, (o take Cutler's 
men on their right flauk. Pegram's and Mcintosh's Batallions of 
artillery, 14 guns each, took position on Herr's Ridge and fired on 
the Union line. Carter's Bataliion, 14 guns, was on Oak Ridge and ^ 
raked the Union line to Reynolds' Grove, 1,000 Idgjti away. -*©***- Jfp^ 
son's Bataliion took position on the Harrisburg road at Brinker- 
hoff's Ridge. 

In the meantime Rowley's and Robinson's Divisions of the 
1st Corps and the 11th Corps had arrived on the field. Biddle's 
Brigade carried the line from the Hagerstown road, along Mcpher- 
son's, now Reynolds' Ridge, to within 400 yards of Reynolds' Grove. 
Cooper's Battery covered these 400 yards. To the rear of Cooper's 
Battery, in a hollow, lay the famous 151st Pa. Meredith's Iron 
Brigade carried the line through Reynolds' Grove. Stone's 150th Pa. 
carried the line to the Chambersburg pike. The 149th Pa., forming at 
right angles, carried the line along the pike. Thencame the 143d Pa., 
then a gap of 600 yards facing north, covered by Reynolds' .Battery 
at the northeast corner of Reynolds' Grove, Stevens' Battery at the 
south of the pike on Seminary Ridge and three of Stuart's guns im- 
mediately south of the railroad cut and three immediately at the 
north side of the same cut on Seminary Ridge. 

To get into position Rodes had to pivot on his right and 
swing his left around. Hill's men assaulted Biddle, Stone, Meredith 
aud Cutler again and again and were repeatedly repulsed before 
Rodes' men could get up. By one o'clock the fighting became 
general again. The two divisions of the 11th Corps had formed on 
the flat to the east of Seminary Ridge, half a mile north of Gettys- 
burg, with Schimnielfeuniutf's Div. on the left, refusing his right, 
with Barlow's Div. on his right, refusing his right to Rock Creek. 
Schurz's Div. was in reserve on Cemetery Hill, where they threw 
up lunettes for the artillery. The 11th Corps was raked Irom the 
left by Carter's Bataliion on Oak Ridge and J e lm e o^B Bataliion on 



ipported by Dllger's, Wheeler's and 
Wilkesoii' Batterfi 

Aboul i P ^i Doli ide, Rodes' Di v., came down the 

ld< ol Oal Ridge facing Owing to the rakiDg lire 

of I id John wn'a Batalllons of artillery Scbimmelfennfng - 

i'i became dl ordered ;sn<i fell back. Schurz, who succeeded tn 
L()« command ol the I lth Corp H ling Reynolds in 

command ol the 3d, 1-1 and I ltd Corps I in Barl i Dlv. by a 
rlghl wheel on Dole's lefl Sauk. Dole retired until Gordon's Brlg- 
i'i' formed on hi left, 4chlmmelfenufng'c men rallied. Ha 
Brigade ol Early's Dlv. « to charge Barlow on the rlghl 

il;)ii! Hoke's Bi jaln Barlo 

"• ide ame Dlv., was in reserve. D Irigade of 

Buford's Dlv. with theli • en shooters, Spencer's carbines, was 
holding Kay's and Hoke' Brigades back. 

General 0. O. Howard's report says ; "The fuses of the shells 
i by '-in artillery on Cemetery iiiii were defective and some 
oomplalnl was made by our cavalry thai they were injured by oui 
"■■\'i shells." in plain language owing to some one'i blunders 
DeyJb Brigade wai shelled out of its position by our artillery on 
< emetery ihii Mini Hays w;ih allowed to charge Barlow's unpro- 
■I llanl and Hoke's Brigade was enabled to gel behind the I nil 
'■"i Coster 1 Brigade was sent from Cemeten Hill to hold Hoke 
back ,-,,, vvas Heckmau'a Battery. Hays' Brigade gol In front ol I 
'« i , Gordon on his left and Hoke on bli right, I here was a running 
" i mi i- 1 1 to Cemetery Hill. Owing to the fire of Smith's Brigade and 
'ii<- iuiiiii-1 y <m the hill Coster't Brigade beat. By four o'clock the 
'lth Corps I'M Hi" Held Id wild flight, having losl 1,000 killed and 
wounded and 1,000 prisoners. The enemy's loss was probably 1,000 
iiii.'i and wounded, mostly by Devln'e men. rhe lltb Corps also 
los,l twy bra cannons and many battle Hn^H. 

i Ik- i Hi < !orps iHisiiii fighting 32,500 men in their fron! and now 
there are i 5,500 In theli n u 

we will i in it "in M 1 1 mil. in to the Lsl Corps. Before Reynolds 
obeneij the battle he senl word to Sickles and Hlooum to hurry up, 

'• oould ii. .1 be i' 'i until i P. M. in an ambulance L mile 

I oi l|iinmltsburg. Md., 12 miles from Gettysburg, :in<i claims he 
•'"' ""i heai the battle. I believe him. Slocum had been marching 
ii'ini i mill- fiisini Ltttlestswn to Two Taverns since 5 \. M. He 
"■I" <'i !•» come up uiiiii he had received orders from Meade and 
■ i iin.s tic <in i iK.i hear the battle until be arrived at Two Taverns 6 
iniirs from Gettysburg, ;»i 12.30 P. M , when there was do fighting 
'" hear., H he would bave looked He could have seen the smoke 
Hi- Haph of the guos every fool of the road. Meade's courier 
i.nriir.i sificum al -. .20 P. M. Pormlngfour lines of battle on the 
o.M.i -Ko urn arrived <>n the held aboul 6 P. M. 

i^ini'-v, commanding Sickles' rear division, marched t<» the 
iirin;: oi ihc guns and arrived on the field about 6 P. M. Hum- 
i.Jnv.v'-- Dlv. turned up at Black Horse Tavern, 2 miles In rear of 
Rppftl Mne al 2 A. M July 2d and were saved from capture by Bui- 
I-', a . "I'lui |iome on b branch, who recognized them and led them 
'"'" ""• I moil line about daylight, instead of coming up In (in- 
eneinyja rear and effecting the capture of Heih and Pender's Div I 
■Ions .is Reynolds Intended. This miscalculation was caused by 



rful qualities of invisibility and | er hi* 

report. 

\rt .-•.■■■ 

dltb, .-tone 

and ( atler and ;ir<- hurled r.^ek with terrible slaughter, it 

ed rijrht flan k. 
M ummasburg pike 
e double quick and illy thai his b 

Into action thai day. In I 
■ • 

Ridge, 
en pouring ' a thousand yard 

hich delayed and disordered him, . ; 
got to the top ui ; first. Baxter's I ■ 

' Sutler 8 Jed oul that Gen. 

I ..",00 of I ' 
tnnihilatiou of I \ ei 

bey bad deserted to 
bach '-if Ran 
I 

ree of Dan- 
iel's f< i the l 10th and I J;'] Pa. 

brigade. Pan nforeed Ba tei ■ 

Pfitlei fought i od part ol Daniel's brig- 

50th Pa- ad prolou dith's line 

from R 

mnant of Davis' brigade. The 149th Pa formed 
to it. can then came the 143d Pa., 

proton line toward Seminary Ridge, lea ing a gap oi 800 

yards for the artillery to fire through. 

140th and the 143d moved ISO yards to the front t- 
of a railroad cut. The laulted byth< 

' from the north and placed their colors '■ 

i the enemy's fire, in which they 
nsful. When the : re within 100 y Union 

alley fin') 
them another volley. ol at them with the 

bayonet. 1 1 e meantime Da^ is' b 

charged their left flank and capta agof the 140th Pa. The 

150th Pa. havii ed the iron Brigade In repelling Broeken- 

brough's and -' arged Davis, routed him and re- 

captured the i J';t'j- fi^c.' and restored it to them on the fleld. -tone - 
ted In the lumbal ■■ rl Pennsylvania and 

> riflemen 1 be hottest the 

faced. 

Daniel d Davis' brigade atl vo Penna. 

regiments and aredrl en back. When the 140th and 143d Pa. come 
back to the cut they find it is enfiladed by a Rebel battery and they 
retire to the pfl tmtil 8toi ft alone on 

the front line with I ay on tbrei him and some be- 

hind, when 'i charge the brigade <■ \\ it- iray to the north of 

the rail road cut on Seminary Ridge. Just now they got thei 
on I v knows. 



8 

In the meantime Lane and Archer outflanked Biddle and 
made him refuse his left. The 28th N. C. penetrated the gap be- 
tweeu Meredith and Biddle. The 151st Pa. was sent against it. A 
hand to hand right ensued. The 26th X. < '. was annihilated. 

Biddle was compelled to retreat to Seminary Ridge. This left 
Meredith's left exposed. He was compelled to change front from 
the west to face a charge from Perriu coming from the south. This 
allowed Scales and Brockeubrough to penetrate Reynolds' Grove 
and come between Meredith and Stone. After repelling Pettigrew 
and Perrin Meredith repulsed Brockeubrough and Scales and after 
nine changes of front arrived on Semiuary Ridge, where he found 
the rifle pits Robinson's Div. had thrown up earlier in the day very 
useful. 

There was a lull in the battle for a few minutes, The Rebels 
rearranged their lines and charged Seminary Ridge with four lines 
of battle. These lines had all that was left of 32,500 men in them. 
Our guns poured double canister into them, cutting great gaps. On, 
on they came. Within 100 yards the men in blue gave them a vol- 
ley that literally mowed them down in swaths. Scales brigade was 
in a little swale and did not get its full share of the good things. It 
tried to charge the line. After its repulse the three of Stewart's 
ucuns that were to the north of the pike were run down into the hof- 
low and gave Scales a flank fire which about annihilated it. It is 
now a little past I P. M. The Rebels are entering Gettysburg Irom 
the north and east. Covered by Gamble's brigade the 1st Corps 
leisurely retreated to Cemetery Hill. All that did uot cross Wash- 
ington street got there as a rule. Daniels' brigade was the only 
Rebel organization that confronted them that was able to follow 
them up. 

Tne loss of the 1st Corps was 1,000 killed, 2,500 wounded and 
captured, subsequently recaptured, 1,000 men captured in the re- 
treat, 1 gun. Owing to Col. Wainright mistaking hold Cemetery 
Hill at all hazards for hold Semiuary Hill the artillery remained 
after the infantry retreated.' Also the colors of the 150th Pa., the 
colorbearer being wounded sat down to rest and bled to death and 
Daniels' men took the flag from his dead hands. 

When Stone's men came on the field they said, "This is Penn- 
sylvania. We have come to stay." 75 per cent, of them did, 
killed and wounded. 

The Rebel loss in front of the 1st Corps was 2,000 dead, 5,000 
wounded, 3,500 prisoners. One-third of Lee's army was so badly 
licked they weren't worth a cent during the rest of the battle, and 
indeed the battle was virtually won the 1st day. 

All this time Meade was surveying a battlefield on Double 
Pipe Creek, and dreaming pipe dreams ; if he had got bis army up 
he would have captured half Lee's army ; the narrow mountain 
roads behind Anderson's, Bodes', Heth's and Pender's Divisions 
were blocked with artillery and wagons and if whipped, as they 
would have been, if Sickles or Bloeum had come up, they must have 
been captured. Meade would have had the short road" to 1 lagers- 
town and could have got the rest of Lee's army in a day or two. 

Hancock met the flying 11th Corps and got them into line. 
The 1st Corps lined up like as if they were on dress parade. Wads- 
worth Div. took charge of Steven's Knoll and Gulp's Hill, the 11th 



9 

Corps carried the Hue along Cemetery Rjdge to Ziegler's Grove. 
Robiuson's and Doubleday's Divs., 1st Corps, carried the line be- 
yond the Bryan House, Buford's men prolonged the line, Birney's 
4.500 men were raising a big dust coming up the Emmitsburg road, 
ready to attack the toe on the flank if they attempted to assault the 
line. By 5 p. m. they had relieved the cavalry ; by 6 p. m. the slow 
coming Slocum had reached the field. 

Many blame Lee, who was on Seminary Ridge, for not fol- 
lowing up his success of the 1st. The only available troops he had 
was Early's 10,000 men, and there was Smith's Brigade, 1,500 of tht 
11th Corps, 3,500 of the 1st Corps, 3,000 cavalry of Buford's Div., and 
a good mauv regiments of Barlow's and Schimmelfenning's Divs. 
that would have given a good account of themselves, and a numer- 
ous, well-planted artiilery to defend the new position of the Union 
forces. 

Birney's 4,500 arrived by 5 p. m., Slocum's 9,000 by 6 p. m.. 
Anderson's Div. of 12,500 men were still 2 miles from Gettysburg at 
5 p. m. 

When Reynolds fell Buford sent Meade a courier apprising 
him of that fact, and added that in his opinion our troops at Gettys- 
burg were without a commander. Meade at Double Pipe Creek 
sent Hancock to take charge of the held, and lead our beaten troops 
back to Pipe Creek. Hancock rallied the flying 11th Corps on Ceme- 
tery Hill, and seut word to Meade to order the army to Gettysburg, 
that there was a splendid position here, and that it was the place to 
fight. Meade took Hancock's advice and ordered up the army. 

The 2d Corps arrived by 2 a. m. July 2d, the 5th from* Han- 
over, by way of Littlestown, at 10.30 a. m., the 6th from Man- 
chester, Md., by 2.30 p. m. The 5th Corps laying on Powers' Hill 2 
miles from Little Round Top, the 6th at Rock Creek, 3 miles from 
Little Round Top. Stanuard's Brigade, which came to fill up the 
1st Corps, arrived at Emmitsburg, Md., June 30, and as their enlist- 
ment had expired, were lefi behind. When they heard a battle 
was on they followed Birney's troops in spite of orders, and covered 
themselves all over with glory. The only citizen who fought was 
John Burns, he was with Scott at Monterey Gap, with the 150th Pa. 
They got him to go into Reynolds' Grove with the 2d Wis. and sub- 
sequently he fought with the 7th Wis., as staled on their monu- 
ments. John McClellan rode out on the 1st day's fight and brought 
wounded men in, in front of him on his horse. Mary McAllister 
and Nancy Weikert dressed wounds in Christ Lutheran Church. 
Miss McAllister ran between the Rebel line aud retreating Union 
troops on Chambersburg street, east of the church, got into Bueh- 
ler's private alley to get around the line. The Rebels held their 
fire to avoid wounding her. Chaplain Howell was shot about five 
minutes after the Rebel line went up the street. An eye witness 
told me he was kneeling on the west side of a red haired boy who 
was shot through the right lung, another red haired boy, a twin 
brother, who had carried the wounded man from Wills' Hill on the 
Mummasburg road, on his bacfc, knelt by the boy's side, with his 
face to the west. After the charge weDt up the street Chaplain 
Howell arose, folded his hands behiod his back and turned slowly 
around, as he did so, a light haired rebel came onto the church 
pavement at the second tree from the west end of the pavement, 



Ill 

cauie so uear the chaplain that the flash of his gun burned the chap- 
lain's coat and the bullet pierced his heart. I can give thesedetails 
because I gave the wounded boy's brother water ten minutes before 
the rebels came up the street. 

There were six men shot on Ed. Faber's pavement after the 
charge went up the street, eight more in the alley between Faber's 
and Peun Myers', four men were also shot on William Tipton's 
pavemant, after they surrendered and when they had no guns in 
their hands. Also, it is said, that a number of Armsteads' men 
were clubbed to death at the Bloody Angle after thev had thrown 
down their guns. "War is Hell." 

The 12th Corps first occupied Little Round Top, were subse- 
quently moved to Gulp's Hill, Wadsworth covered Steven's Knoll, 
the 11th Corps carried the line through the Cemetery to Ziegler's 
Grove, from thence the Divsions of Doubleday and Robinson's 1st 
Corps carried the line to the Bryan House, covering a quarter of a 
mile of the line. From thence, with Hays' and Gibbous' Divs. in 
the front line and Caldwell's Div. in the rear line, in reserve, Han- 
cock prolongs the line for half a mile. From thence Sickles with 
9,000 men carries the line to the Rouud Tops, a mile away. Hover- 
ing on Sickles' flank is Buford's Div. of cavalry. 

The rise of the sun on July 2d revealed the line to Lee. He 
decided to envelope Meade's left flank. Meade, contemplating re- 
treat, sent Buford's Div. to Taneytowu to cover the retreat, leaving 
Sickles' left flank uncovered, of which hereafter. 

THE SECOND BAY'S BATTLE. The 5th Corps arrived from 
Hanover, Pa., about ten a. m., Meade proposed to take it and the 12th 
( 'orps, then on Culp's Hill, and attack Ewell on Beuner's Hill; Slo- 
cum, Hunt, Sickles, Warren, Hancock and Williams persuaded 
him not to do so, until the 6th Corps arrived, as the ground was 
very rough artillery could not be used by Meade, while the Reb's 
could have used it, and Ewell's position was impregnable. Meade 
yielded and the battle was saved to the Union. 

Meade made wall flowers of Pleasanton and Sickles, at Get- 
tysburg, two men that saved the Army of the Potomac from com- 
plete destruction at Chancellorsville. 

Sickles occupying the extreme left became apprehensive, and 
asked permission to move out to the high ground on the Emmits- 
burg road so that he could observe the enemy, his request was fre- 
quently denied, and his request for reinforcements ignored. 

Meade, holding that Lee was in no condition to attack, and 
that]if he did attack it would come from the east. 

Sickles sent forward the 3d Maine and a couple of companies 
of Berdau's sharp-shooters, they crossed the Fmmitsburg 
road, struck the right of Wilcox's brigade and Poaggs battery, dis- 
covered Longstreet's movement, to envelope Meade's left, came 
back and reported to Sickles. 

At 12 o'clock, July 2d, Hill held Seminary Ridge, from the 
Pit/.er School House road to the Hagerstown road, Ewell carried the 
line thiough Gettysburg over the Culp farm to Benner's Hill, Mc- 
Laws' and Hood's Div. of Longstreet's Corps lay at the School 
House 2 miles in Hill's rear, on the Hagerstown road, except Laws' 
brigade of Hood's Div. which arrived at that place at 12 noon .July 2 



11 

and Pickett's Div. which was inarching from Chambersburg where 
they had been guarding trains. 

Sickles wanted Meade to attack Hill's right and double him 
up, capture or disperse his troops before Longstreet could arrive on 
scene, cut Ewell off to the east aud Longstreet to the west and use 
Lee up in detail, as could easily have been done. Meade with his 
great genius for doiug the wrong thing refused to do this. 

Lee ordered Longstreet to envelop Meade's left, Gen. Otes, of 
Ga., claims that Longstreet should have begun his attack by ten 
o'clock in the morning, but insisted upon waiting for Law's brigade 
which arrived at 12 m., thus allowing the 6th Corps to come up. 

Mc Law's Div. was to take the advance, but McLaw marched 
one mile west on the Hagerstown road thence down the Marsh 
Creek road to the Pitzer School House road, making a detour of 
about o extra miles, Hood marched down the Willoughby's Run to 
Warfield's Ridge, the point of concentration for his movement, 
Hood's Div went into the tight first, after a delay of two hours which 
brought night and saved Lee from annihilation after the 6th corps 
arrived. 

About 4 p. m. Sickles moved his corps out to the Enimits- 
burg road, the right of Carrs brigade being about 500 yards in ad- 
vance of Hancocks left, Carr carried the line to the 70th. N. Y. 
Brewsters brigade, the 70th N. Y. was joined on its left by Grahams 
brigade, Birneys division, which made the turn at the corner of the 
Peach Orchard and carried the line East 500 yards to a gap 500 
yards, covered by Ames and Clark's battery's and a skirmish line 
connecting DeTrobriand who carried the line in a South Easterly 
direction to Ward who carried the line in a Southerly direction to 
Devil's Den. The balance of Brewsters brigade formed two hun- 
dred yards in the rear of Carr, facing the Ernmitsburg road. 
Burlings brigade formed 200 yards in Brewsters rear. Their regi- 
ments were detailed wherever needed afterwards. 

Gen. Hunt came upon the scene and immediately rode off 
aud ordered up Major McGilvery with the following batteries, 
Thompsons, Phillips and Hamptons which took positions along the 
Ernmitsburg road along with Seeleys and Turnbulls batterys of 
Sickles' Corps and Harts battery in the Peach Orchard, while 
Bigelow assisted Clark and Ames to cover the Gap and thereby 
saved Meades' array. Winslows' 12 howitzers of Sickles' corps occu- 
pied the Wheat Field and fired over DeTrobriand, Smith protected 
Wards' flank at the Devils' Den. The skirmish line in the gap was 
composed of the 3rd Maine, 3rd Mich, aud 2ud N. H. 

Sickles having completed his movement, rode to Meade's 
headquarters to attend a council of war. As he arrived the booming 
of cannon announced the opening of the bloody drama of the 2nd 
days tight at Gettysburg. Meade realizing that he had been mis- 
taken in regard to Lee's attacking from the East, was panic struck, 
ordered Sykes and Sedgwick to proceed to Sickles relief, jumped 
on his horse aud accompanied Sickles to the front. 

As soon as Meade saw Sickles' line he said, "Your line is too 
Jong, you have not troops enough to hold it!" Sickles replied : "I will 
fall back to the original line." Meade replied : "you cannot do that 
the enemy will attack you before you can accomplish the move- 
ment!" Right there is where Meade made the fatal error. Hum- 



12 

phreys made his celebrated wheel on same ground while being charged 
on both flanks, front, and rear, and the debris of Caldwell's, Barnes' 
and Birney's Divs. rallied to him, and only then were the Rebels 
repulsed, so Meade must accept the responsibility for Sickles fight- 
iug where he did. ■ On the other hand had Sickles remained on 
Round Top, Longstreet would have connected with Ewell and Lee's 
army would have cut Meade off from his ammunition, reserve ar- 
tillery, supplies, Washington and Baltimore, and probably defeated 
Me"ade. 

Had Meade moved Caldwell's Div. of 6,000 men to Devil's Den 
promptly and took Hood on the flank as Hood attacked Birney's 
f; no men in front, Hood would have been. captured with scarcely 
i Bight. 

At 4 P. M. the Rebel artillery opened the light ; 100 guns 
thundered death on Sickle's four exposed flanks. Hood's Div. 
formed on Warfleld's Ridge, an extension of Seminary Ridge, with 
Law on the right and Robertson on the left. Anderson followed 
Robertson, Beuuiug followed Law. Law's and half of Robertson's 
Brigade attack Big Round Top and And no opposition. They find 
Big Round Top useless because Little Round Top intervenes be- 
tween it and the Union line. Law marches on Little Round Top 
where he meets Vincent. 

On account of not having far to go Robertson's Brigade came 
into action first, attacking Ward. There was a stubborn light 
among the boulders, but Ward, only having 890 men to face Robert- 
son's 1,500 was being slowly forced back, when DeTrobriand, having 
thrashed Anderson, came to his relief. It was only the prompt 
support of Banning that saved Robertson from capture. De Tro- 
briand and Ward's lines are enfiladed by 200 Rebel guns on War- 
field and Seminary Ridges. The ground being Bucb that at this 
stage of the battle, the Union artillery was of little assistance. 

When Law's right rested on Big Round Top his left swept 
past Ward's flank at the Devil's Den. Ward had placed the 4th 
Me., 40th N. Y. and 6th X. .). across the Valley of Death at the 
Devil's Den to protect Ins fiauk. As Law moved to attack Little 
Round Top he brushed those three regiments out of the Valley of 
Death. Had he followed them up, taking Biruey and Humphrey 
in the rear, Sickles' Corps would have been captured before Meade 
could have sent help. Then taking the 2nd, 11th aud 12th Corps in 
the rear he would have utterly destroyed the Army of the Potomac. 

Again Robertson and Benniugs charge Ward. Anderson 
charges DeTrobriand. Kershaw charges the skirmish line and the 
batteries. The skirmishers fall back behind the guns and come in 
line with the 141st Pa. 'The bittenes vomit double canister into the 
Johnnies. On they come, The four regiments raise to their feet 
aud ^ive Kershaw a sheet of leaden flame and drive him back by 
a wild bayonet charge. DeTrobriand has again repulsed Anderson. 
Semmes comes to Anderson's relief in time to prevent his capture. 
i\" tertsonand Bennings are too much for Ward, whom they push bach 
and sei/.e three of Smith's guns at the Devil's Den, (These guns 
w.renot recovered until Appomattox.) DeTrobriand again comes to 
Ward's assistance. Robertson and Bennings are hurled back. 

On account of having to put three regiments in the Valley of 
Death Ward was compelled to leave a gap between himself and 



lo 

DeTrobriand. DeTrobriand lilled this gap with the 17th Maine be- 
hind the South stake and rider lence of the Wheat Field. 

Some writers speak of stone wails on the battlefield. There 
was not a stone wall on it. Simply fences with about a perch of 
stone to the rod at the base surmounted by rails. 

Ward and DeTrobriand reform their lines. Robertson and 
Benuings get ready to assail Ward. Anderson and Senirnes are 
ready to attack DeTrobriand in front while Kershaw flanks him. 
At tiiis time Sickles is wounded and Biruey assumes command of 
the corps. 

Tiltou and Sweitzer's brigades of Barnes' Div. 5th Corps come 
to DeTrobriand's assistance. It is now about 6 P. M. Sweitzer 
formed on DeTrobriand's right, in the woods. Tilton formed on 
S»veitzer's riglit in the open, where 100 guns of the Rebels on Semi- 
nary and Warfield Ridges iufiladed his line. Robertson and Ben 
niug attack Ward, who with DeTrobriand's assistance, ho'ds them at 
bay. Anderson, Semmes and Kershaw attack DeTrobriand and 
Sweitzer and are hurled back with loss. Numbers are beginning to 
tell. Benuing and Robertson are slowly, foot by foot, pressing 
Ward back. Semmes and Anderson attack DeTrobriand and Sweitzer 
iu front. Kershaw attacks Tilton in flank and forces him out. 
Then Kershaw and Semmes force Sweitzer out and threaten DeTro- 
briand's flank. Ward's and DeTrobriand's men are almost annihi- 
lated. Attacked on both flanks they fall back to the road connect- 
ing the Emmitsburg and IheTaueytown road just north of Little 
Round-Top, now known as fie Round-Top road. 

It is now 7 P. M. The victorious Rebel hordes for the first 
time s.veep over the bloody Wheat Field, filling the air with demon- 
ical yells. 

Cross' and Kelly's Irish brigades are kneeling in the Trostle 
woods just north of the ro id that skirts the north side of the Wheat 
Field. Father William * orby is on a stump giving them conditional 
absolution. He tells them he will not give any man absolution that 
falls with his back to the enemy. Zoo.; and 'Brooks' brigades, the 
remainder of Caldwell's division, Haueook's Corps, are advancing 
iu the distance. There is hell on Little Round Too. 

Kelly and Cross' brave Irish arise, give the Irish battle cry, 
"Faugh a Balla," give the enemy a volley, rush upon them witn 
the bayouet, hurl them back across the bloody Wheat Field like a 
cyclone, strewing the ground with their dead aud wounded. The 
Rebels are forced through the woods beyond the Wheat Field and 
rally on fie Wible ridge. Cross and Kelly are enfiladed by the 
Rebel cannon on Warfield and Seminary Ridges, presently out- 
flanked on both flanks and forced to fall back. It is now near 7. BO 
P. M. Gen. Cross was killed soon after he went into action, fieri. 
Kelly was wounded. 

The Bebel hordes again advance over the Wheat Field. As 
they approach the road they encounter Zook and Brooks' brigades 
who sweep them back across the Wheat Field, through the woods 
beyond and drive them past the Wible buildings. Here the Rebel 
batteries enfilade Brook and Zook's Hue. Wofford strikes them on 
the right aud rear, from the west. Robertson, Beuniug and Semmes 
strike his left. Anderson and Kershaw strike his centre and agaiu 
the yelling R3b* coim streamin * acrjss fie Wneat Fiaid. although 



14 

Sweitzer went to Brooks' assistance at Gen. Caldwell's re (iiest. 

8 P. M. Sweitzer's and Caldwell's men are being sieved out. 
Ayres' Div., 5th Corps, went into action. Thev faced south, finding 
the Rebels were on their flank they faced west. Ayres' Div., com- 
posed of Day aud Burbank's brigades, carried 2. 000 muskets. These 
troops were regulars and fought almost as well as the volunteers. 
In 23 minutes they lost 900 men killed and wounded. Their lire 
took the Rebels pursuing Biruey's, Caldwell's aud Barnes' men in 
flank and stopped many of them. It also caused the main hue of 
battle to pursue them as they fell back through McCandless' brigade 
Pa. Reserves and one regiment of Fisher's brigade, 5th Corps. As 
soon as the regulars got out of the way the Reserves gave the 
Johnnies a volley. Gen. Crawford took their standard, waved it. 
the boys cheered and rushed on the enemy and swept them across 
the Valley of death. At the fence beyond the enemy tried to make 
a stand. The boys gave them the cold steel and they left. The 
Wheat Field was neutral ground for the night. Parties with lan- 
terns from both armies traversed it gathering up and caring for the 
wounded. 

As Wo fiord charged Brooks' right Barksdale advanced 
against the Peach Orchard. Biruey ordered Humphreys to make a 
left wheel by regiments. The Union artillery shot the centres out 
of the Rebel brigades. Bigelow's battery fired 4 guns against 
Barksdale and two against the Rebel hordes coming from the 
south. Barksdale detached the 21st Miss., which captured two 
guns of Bigelow's battery after all Bigelow's horses had been killed 
and many of his men killed and wounded. All of the 2lst Miss, 
were killed or captured except their Col. and 3 men in this action. 
The 3 men were killed during Pickett's charge. 

Humphrey's column could not fire while making the retro- 
grade movement. Two of Hall's regiments under command of Cols. 
Devereux and Mai Ion went to the relief of Humphrey. Before they 
reached him Biruey ordered the half wheel. Barksdale, passing 
in front of Humphrey, receiving no fire from his troops in the 
darkness, supposed that they were leaving the field in pan'c 
Being tired on by Devereux and Mallon until they were flanked he 
followed them back to Hall's line, where lie received the lire of 
Hall's aud Harrow's brigades, which killed Barksdale and caused 
his troops to fall back on Wilcox, who was following him a little t<> 
his right. 

Wilcox, Hill's right brigade, followed Barksdale in bis charge 
aud Barksdale's men amalgamated with them after their repulse 
by Hall and Harrow. Perry's brigade, which lay immediately next 
to Wilcox's left, charged as soon as Wilcox cleared their front. 
They went in the direction of the Trostle house and soon came in 
contact with Humphrey's line, which had completed its movement 
and whose lire had become effective. McGilvery's and Sickles' bat 
teries had taken position along Cemetery Ridge. Perry's brigade 
sustained a heavy fire. After losing one battle flag they were glad 
to get back to the Emmitsburg road, with a loss of half of their men. 

Wilcox's right struck the right of Humphrey's new line. The 
Rebs attempted to enter the gap left by Sickles between Humphrey 
and Hall to Hank Humphrey. Hancock hurled the 2H4 men of the 
1st Minn, at Wilcox's centre, telling them to capture khe brigade 



15 

colors. The 1st Minn, started at double quick through a murderous 
ire from canuou aud musket. At 63 yards from the enemy thev 
brought their gnus to charge bayonets. At arms length they deliv- 
ered their hre They cut a place for themselves in the solid columns 
of the enemy aud captured the enemy's brigade colors. The loss of 
the 1st Minn, was 221 killed and wounded. Not a man was cap- 
tured. The 1st Minn, also had 17 more men killed and wounded 
during Pickett's charge. 

As the 1st Minn, struck Wilcox's front Willard charged his 
left; composed of what was left of Barksdale's brigade. Hum- 
phreys gave him an oblique hre. Wilcox's men retired on a double 
quick with a loss of about fifty per cent, of their men 
, ,, Wright's brigade was the next brigade on Perry's left. He 
followed him into action and first stru.k two of Harrow's regiment* 
at the Codori house in rifle pits of rails, etc., who held their ground 
until flanked out, when they retired to Webb's brigade. Brown's 
K. 1. battery moved out to enfilade Wright, who charged the battery 
and took it. The 19th Maine recaptured Brown's battery. When 
W right received the lire of Webb's brigade it stopped him. Hall 
?" (i . Harrow having driven Wilcox aud Barksdale off fell on 
Wright s flank. Wright was glad to get back to the Rebel line with 
a loss of half of his men and three cannon captured by Col. Randall 

Posey and Mahone and two of Anderson's brigades were in- 
ducted to follow Wright if they saw he was successful. Wright 
was repelled so quickly they did not move. 

Pender's Div., immeuiately to the left of Anderson's division 
was prevented from being ordered into the fight by Pender beiu^- 
struck in the side by a shell aud killed. Lane, who succeeded to 
the command, did not take coumaiid until the action was over 
Had these troops moved against Ziegler's Grove, they would nave 
met Hays' Div. of Hancock's Corps, assisted by Robinson's and 
Doubleday's Divs. of the 1st Corps, and would have been terriblv 
slaughtered. •' 

■ t ,. ** od ?! 8 Div - was to charge Ziegler's Grove and West Cemettrv 
Hill, but Rode s men saw the bauners of the 1st and 11th Corps 
over there, and after getting out where they made the acquaintance 
of the artillery aud the Union skirmish line had one battle flag cap- 
tured from them. They sought cover as thev were satisfied with 
their experience of the day before. 

8oon after Crawford's men hurled back the enemy from the 
Valley of Death and the Wheat Field Lockwood's brigade of the 
12th Corps, supported on their left, by Neviu's brigade of the 6th 
( orps, charged out to the Trostle buildings, connecting the ri^ht of 
Crawford's line with the left of Humphreys' line and; recapturing 
about 20 pieces of our artillery that had beeu abaudoned there" 
routed Anderson's brigade, the ouly men of Lougstreet's Corps ex- 
cept Barksdale's, that got north of the Wheat Field. 

Meade in his panic had ordered all the 12th Corps except 
Green's brigade off Culp's Hill. They left about 6.30 P. M just as 
Johnson was about to assault the hill. Green had thrown a skir- 
mish line to Rock Creek. Johnson assaulted the north face of 
Culp's Hill first, but finding it too strong moved to the east face of 
the hill and assaulted it and was repulsed four times. Gradually 
extending his line south he finally succeeded in forcing the pickett 



16 

line beyond the line of the 137th N. Y., which regiment refused its 
line west. Green had immediately sent to Meade, Howard, of the 
11th Corps, and Newton, commanding the 1st Corps, for assistance. 
Howard sent 400 men and Xewton sent 2-50, who carried Green's 
line in a westernly direction to Bushman's lane. The men threw 
up temporary breast works of rails, etc., to protect themselves as 
the 12th Corps had done along their whole line previously. 

Johnson penetrated the Union lines about 9 P. M. His ad- 
vance struck the Union advance of Ruger's division on the Baltimore 
pike about 9.15 P. M. and he concluded to wait for daylight. 

After .Sickles' fall Meade put Hancock in charge of 2d, 3d and 
-5th Corps. Day and Burbauk, Weed, Sweitzer, Tilton and Cald- 
well's Divs. formed a line along Cemetery Ridsje connecting with 
Vincent on Round-Top while Barksdale, Wilcox, Perry and 
Wright were being driven back. 

Ruger's Div. of the 12th Corps arrived in time to furnish Lock- 
wood's brigade, which did good service on the left, and then re- 
turned to Culp's Hill just in the nick of time. For want of proper 
orders Kane and Can by 's brigades went down the Baltimore pike, 
crossed Rock Creek, where they received orders to hold the line 
down to the creek. They formed in line and held it down to the 
creek for several hours. That order meant they were to hold the line 
on Culp's Hill down to the creek and the man giving it had forgotten 
they had moved. That man was Meade. 

Geary returned shortly after Ruger and found the enemy in 
his rifle pits, excepting those of Green's brigade. 

Early was to carry East Cemetery Hill. He concealed Hays' 
brigade behind some buildings and the uueveu slope of Cemetery 
Hill. Hoke's brigade assaulted it from the east. Hoke's brigade 
drew the tire of the 1st Corps and batteries on Stevens' Knoll and 
the tire of the 11th Corps men and batteries on Cemetery Hill. In 
the smoke Hays' brigade, Louisiana Tigers, under command of 
Col. Avery, slipped up the brick yard lane at the foot of Cemetery 
Hill, faced to the right, yelling as they made a right wheel, striking 
Howard's line on the north side of the hill. On account of the 17th 
Conn, being moved to the east face of the hill there was a vacant 
space betweeu the 25th and 75th Ohio. The Rebels came through 
this gap, taking the 11th Corps men in Hank, chased Wiedrich's 
battery men over the stone fence amongst Rickett's guns, ran two 
of Wiedrich's guns down the hill, spiked two of Rickett's guns 
amidst a hand to hand fight with the men of the two batteries, dur- 

liich men were brained with stones, guns, cannon ram rods. 
hand spikes, etc. Some of the 11th Corps men rurther west in the 
cemetery came to the gunners' assistance. Hancock, hearing the 
disturbance, with the true intuition of a soldier, at once dispatched 
Carroll's brigade to Howard's assistance. This brigade promptly 
charged the enemy down the hill and they surrendered to the men 
of the 11th Corps, who* still held their line, although the Rebs had 
forced through it. 

Of the 1,800 men of Hays' brigade who crossed the Union line 
all were killed, wounded or captured, including Col. Avery killed. 

Hoke's brigade was horribly cut up by the iufantry and artil- 
lery. Scarcely a corporal's guard of them got back to their lines. 

ROUND TOP. General Warren discovered the Rebels at- 



17 

tempting to steal the Round-Tops. This was made possible by 
Meade's folly, as previously explained. He hastened to get troops 
to defend them. He met Col. Vincent, commanding the 3rd Brigade, 
1st Div., 5th Corps. Vincent double quicked at Warren's request to 
the south face of Little Rouud-Top. Col. Rice, who succeeded to 
command when Vincent fell, says: "The brigade got into position 
on Little Round-Top about 4 p. m. The 20th Maine on the left was 
joined by the 83d Pa., it by the 44th N. Y. The 16th Mich, was the 
right regiment. The brigade carried 1046 muskets. Its line formed 
a quarter of a circle, taking advantage of the immense bowlders, 
rocks, trees, etc., which covered the ground for shelter. 

Little Round Top rises 150 feet out of the swamp at its foot, is 
separated from Big Round Top by a ravine, which at the top is but 
a hollow. Bitf Round Top is 8. W. of Little Round Top and rises 
200 feet above it, is densely covered with timber, rocks and gigantic 
bowlders. Little Round Top was wooded on the East side., the 
West- side had been cleared of timber the year before the battle, as 
though to prepare it as the bloody altar it became on the 2nd. of July 
'63, when 500 brave men there shed their blood that the Union might 
survive. 

The brigade had scarcely got into position and put out skirmishers 
before it was attacked by Laws and half of Robertson's Drigades 3,500 
men, under Hood. The Rebels advanced in three columns and 
charged the entire line with great vigor. After their repulse for 
over an hour two of, these columns hid behind rocks, trees, the un- 
even surface of the ground, etc., at from 75 to 100 yards and kept 
up a sharp-shooter's fire on our line, again and again charging the 
83d Pa. and the 44th N. Y. The Union boys would withhold their 
lire until the Johnnies were within arm's length, then give them a 
volley that hurled them back 

Failing in front the enemy attacked the entire line with two 
of his columns, while the 3d attacked the 16th Mich, in flank and 
rear. Owing to a misunderstanding as to orders this regiment fell 
into confusion but every man fought for himself. Just as the 16th 
Mich, was overpowered' Warren sent the 140th N. Y. to the rescue. 

Two companies of the 140th N. Y. had their guns loaded. They 
poured a destructive tire into the enemy. Then, with Col. O'Rorke 
at its head, the regiment rushed upon the enemy with clubbed 
muskets and hustled them down the hill, restoring the line. This 
second fight lasted about 1 hour and during it O'Rorke, Vincent 
and Weed poured their blood on the altar, in company with half 
the 500 men of the 140th N. Y." 

The enemy again attacked our whole line. An officer on a 
rock discovered the third column of the enemy stealing toward 
Chamberlain's flank and apprised him of it. Col. Chamberlain 
says : "I placed Capt. Morrill with Co. B and some 20 U. S. sharp- 
shooters, who put themselves under his directions, across the head 
of the ravine to my leit, stretched my regiment by making intervals, 
refused my left until my line was at right angles to the 83d Pa., 
occupying twice its usual front, some places where the sheltei was 
good having only one rank. The men understood the situation and 
executed the movement without the enemy T s knowledge, keeping 
up a continuous fire. We were just in time to meet the charge of 
the flanking column of the enemy, who expected to find an unpro- 



18 

tected flank. Our lire would drive them back iuto the hollow, only 
to come back again and agaiu, yelling aua liriug as they came. 
They would push up to within a dozeu yards before our awful lire 
would drive them back. They renewed the lighting along our whole 
front for an hour. The lighting was severe. Squads of the enemy 
broke through our line in several places. The tight was hand to 
hand. The lines rolled back and forth like a wave and the dead and 
wounded were now in our front and now in our rear. Forced from 
our position we recovered it with the clubbed gnu or bayonet and 
forced the enemy down the slope. 

The intervals in the struggle were used to care for the 
wounded, gather cartridges from the cartridge boxes of the dead 
and wounded and pile up stones to protect ourselves from the bul- 
lets of the enemy. Capt. Woodward, commanding the 83d Pa., co- 
operated with me, judiciously preventing my right from receiving 
an eniilading fire at any time. 

The enemy gathered all his forces for a final assault. We had 
our thin line in the best possible shape. A strong force of the enemy 
in two lines charged echelon by the right, opening a heavy lire as 
they came to sweep everything before them. We opened on them, 
fired until our ammunition was exhausted. One-half of my 
men had fallen. One third of my men lay behind my 
line dead or wounded. A great roar of musketry on my right and 
rear indicated that Hazlett's battery was attacked and Round-Top 
surrounded and only a desperate chance was left us. My ammuni- 
tion was exhausted, my men were bring their last shot and clubbing 
their guns. We must strike before we are struck by an over- 
whelming force in a hand to hand light, which we could not have 
withstood. I ordered the bayonet. The order ran along the line 
lrom man to man like Are. vVith a cheer they sprang to meet the 
enemy 30 yards away. Many of the enemy threw down their guns 
ami surrendered. An officer bred his }>istol at my bead with one 
hand and handed me his sword with the other. 

Holding fast with our right and swinging our left arouud we 
broke the enemy's second line, which fell back lighting from tree to 
tree, many of them being captured, until we swept the valley and 
nearly cleared the front of the whole brigade. 

Capt. Morrill and the 20 U. 8. sharp-shooters fell on the 
enemy's flank as they were breakiug. This demonstration and their 
well directed lire added much to the ellect of the charge. 

Having rushed the enemy out of the valley I had hard work 
to restrain my men from pursuing them up Big Round-Top, yelling 
on the road to Richmond. 

400 prisoners, 2 held officers, several line officers were sent to 
the rear, mainly from the 15th and 47th Ala. and some of the 4th and 
5th Texas. 150 killed aud wounded Rebels were found in front of 
our position." 

fisher's brigade was to have occupied Big Round-Top but did 
not do so promptly. At i) p. m. Chamberlain's men, without a car- 
tridge, with fixed bayonets, captured it. They met a scattering tire 
near the summit, captured 25 prisoners, including one of Gen. Law's 
staff oil ice rs. 

As the 14()th X. V. scaled Little Round-Top from the east, the 
ground being so rocky that horses could not be used, they dragged 
Hazlett's guns along up with them. 



19 

Hazlett could not depress his guns sufficiently to assist in the 
right ou Little Round-Top, but they bad a withering effect on the 
enemy as they pursued our men across the Wheat Field. 

The Rebel sharp-shooters at Devil's Den picked off the run- 
ners when they went to load the guns. Gen. Weed was shot as he 
stood beside one of the guns. Hazlett stooped to take his dyimr 
message to his wife and fell dead over his body. The battery "was 
silenced until a couple of companies of Berdan's sharp-shooters 
double ((nicked to the west face of Little Round-Top. SSoon not a 
Rebel sharp-shooter dared to fire. 

When Warren detached the 140th N. Y. from Weed's brigade 
the balance of the brigade weut on to the Trostle woods, from where 
it returned after the fightlwas over. 

The fight ou Little .Round-Top was between 1,600 Union 
troops and 8,500 Rebels. 1 ! ' 

The Gettysburg Battlefield Commission have picked all the 
stones off the east slope of Little Round-Top. It is impossible now 
to get an idea of what it was at the time of the battle. They have 
also disfigured it by;building two walls, one of which would have 
prevented the charge of the 140th N. Y. The other would have 
made Chamberlain'sjmovement impossible. 

They have also disfigured Gulp's Hill by walls, etc., until it 
does not appear to be the same place. 

They have also allowed the contractor to hire Italian laborers 
in express violation of their orders from the War Department 
thereby cutting down wages from a dollar and a half a day to ninety 

They also built a mile of useless avenue from the Weikert 
House past the Trostle buildings to keep the trolley off' the battle- 
held, the avenues are not properly constructed and do not wear 
and cost $5.00 per square yard, etc. 

* , J C ^ LP ' S HILL - At 7.30 p. m. July 2d as Rodes and Early at- 
tacked Cemetery Hill Johnson's Div. moved against Gulp's Hill 
Johnson first assaulted Stevens' Knoll and the north face of Gulp's 
Hill. Gen. Greene, in command of the 3d brigade of the 12th Corps 
says : "Our line on the north face of Gulp's Hill, at right angles to 
Wadsworth's on Stevens' Knoll, ran east for 300 yards, then alon^ 
the east trout of the hill for 500 yards to where the first knoll ends 
at the monument of the 137th N. Y. Regt. Kane and Candy's brig- 
ades carried the line to Ruger's division, which carried it *to Rock 
l_reek, thence along said creek to McAllister's Hill, connecting with 
jNeill s brigade on Wolf Hill. By twelve o'clock breastworks had 
been thrown up the whole length of the line. Our skirmishers were 
undisturbed until 6.30 p. m. At this time Kane and Candy's brig- 
ades and Ruger's division had gone to the relief of Sickles. When 
,' mF y left X was ord ered to hold the line of breastworks to the 
creek, lhis would make my line half a mile longer. A few min- 
utes before 7 p. m. the 137th N. Y. occupied Kane's breastworks. 
Kane was immediately on my right. At this time Wadsworth on 
^teyens Knoll was attacked as well as the north face of Gulp's 
liili by Johnson's division of Ewell's Corps of 10,000 men. Four 
nmes lie attacked my line, gradually working his way to my right. 
Half of Geary's line and all of Ruger's line was only defended by 
a snirmisn line. In every instance were these attacks repelled with 



20 

great slaughter. As soon as the attack was discovered I sent 
to Wadsworth, Newton, Howard and Meade for assistance. Han- 
cock sent the Pa., Col. R. Peuu Smith, who retired without 

orders. Howard sent 400 men. Wadsworth sent 255 who took R. 
Peon Smith's place and saved our army by their bravery. Wads- 
worth stretched his line and covered the north face of Gulp's Hill. 
By 8 p. m. the Rebels had flanked the 137th N. Y. out of Kane's 
breastworks. The 137th N. Y. formed at right angles to Kane's 
breastworks, their left in their owu breastworks, with the 11th Corps 
men and Wadsworth's boys on their right. There was a contiuu >us 
musketry fire until 9.30 p. m., when the Rebels came in contact 
with Ruger's division on the pike and thought it wise to cease 
operations until daylight." 

During this tight the 11th Corps men were especially distin- 
guished for their bravery, showing that all the 11th Corps needed 
was half a chance. When Kane returned his skirmishers found the 
Rebs in their works. Thev relieved the 137th N. Y., extending our 
line along the south face of the first knoll to Bushman's lane. Sub- 
sequently Candy's brigade carried the line along Bushman's lane to 
the second stone fence. Ruger's division carried the line down this 
stone fence parallel to a similar fence in rear of Kane's breastworks, 
where the enemy were formed, to the creek. The enemy had not 
occupied the extreme right of Ruger's breastworks and Ruger took 
position in them, connecting with the line before mentioned. 

At 4.30 a. m., July 3d, 14 pieces of artillery under Muhlenburg 
west of the pike and at from 500 to 800 yards range opened on the 
Rebels in the woods in front of Geary's position. At the end of 15 
minutes the guns ceased firing to allow our infantry to advance. 
The Rebels had been reinforced by O'Neal's and Daniel's brigades 
from Rodes' Div. and Smith's brigade from Early's Div., which, 
with Stuart, Nichols, Walker and Jones of Johnsou's division, gave 
Johnson a force of about 15,000. counting 2,503 men to the brigade, 
Daniel's and O'Neal having lost half their men during the first day '8 
light. The 12th Corps had about 8,000 men, but it had breastworks, 
or as good to protect its front. On the morning of July 3d the Rebels 
advanced to attack our men just as the order was received by them 
to advance. The boys in blue awaited the attack in their breast- 
works. On came the Rebels, yelling, in three lines of battle. These 
lines were so strong that they looked like solid masses. The attack 
fell on Geary's three small brigades. Our artillery poured shells 
into the masses of the enemy, which did terrilic execution. On live 
acres, where the Rebel masses were the thickest, our infantry and 
artillery tire was so great that most of the trees were shot away or 
died from the effects of their wounds within a few years. As the 
seried columns surged up against Geary's line they were met with 
sheets of lead and flame which withered them away as the lire 
fiend laps up the dry grass on the prairie. Here was heard the 
heaviest musketry lire of the War of the Rebellion. For seven long 
hours volley followed volley with the regularity of the roll of the 
drum. 20 cannon poured a stream of yelling, shrieking, bursting 
shell on the Rebels. As one line of the assailants were shot down 
another was pushed up. So the mad strife went on. Shaler's, of 
the 6th Corps, and Lockwood's brigades of the 12th Corps and 255 
men of the 1st Corps and the 400 men of the 11th Corps relieved the 



21 

men of Geary's Div. when their ammunition gave out or their guns 
got so fouled that they must be wiped out. Still the fearful struggle 
went on. 

At 5 a. m. the 147th Pa. leaped the stone fence they were he- 
hind and charged the stone fence behind which the Rebels had 
taken shelter iu front of Candy's line. Out go the Rebels at the 
point of the bayonet and they abandon the whole line. The left of 
the oth Ohio had been exposed to an enfilading fire for an hour but 
had held its position and punished the enemy. At 5.45 a. m. the 
55th Ohio was advauced out of their works to enfilade the enemy, 
which they did, holding their ground until 11 a. m., although they 
received a front and fiauk lire. So eager were these men that they 
advanced too far and some of them were killed by our artillery fire. 
At 6 a. m. the 28th Pa., 57th and 29th Ohio of < Jandy's brig ide were 
ordered to relieve Greene's men so they could get ammunition, clean 
guns, etc. These regiments charged into the breastworks and 
Greene's men filed out through their ranks and a continuous fire was 
kept up on the enemy while this was being done. 7. MO a. m. Lock- 
wood's brigade relieved Geary's troops where needed and were very 
efficient. 8 a. m. enemy made a desperate attempt to carry our 
position. Williams, commanding 12th Corps, sent to Slocum, com- 
manding 12th, 11th and 1st Corps, for aid. At 8.45 a. m. Shaler's 
brigade arrived and was used where necessary to relieve troops. 
Orders came that Shaler was not to be put into the fight if not abso- 
lutely necessary. 

8.35 a. m. the 1st Corps men came back and assisted Kane. 
Shaler was held in reserve. 9 a. m. the 122d N. Y. relieved the 111th 
Pa., Kane's hrigade, the 111th Pa. being out of ammunition. 82d 
Pa. relieved the 122d N. Y. at 9.20 a. m. 23d Pa. supports front line 
at 9.20 a. in. At this time our troops had repulsed every attack, but 
the Rebels would push up new troops to take the place of those 
falling back. 10.25 a. m. two of Johnson's brigades charged Kane, 
whose brigade nunibers 650 men. , The sheets of leaaen flame that 
meets them cause the Rebels to break 60 yards in front of Kane's 
line. This was the last Rebel charge. Geary's men and their rein- 
forcements cheer, rush on the Rebels with the bayonet, drive them 
out of the entrenchments they had occupied while Geary was away 
and take hundreds of prisoners. Ruger's division also advanced 
and occupied such of their breastworks as the enemy had occupied. 

10 a. m. Gen. Ruger, commanding 1st Div., received orders to 
try the enemy's left. Owing to a misunderstanding, the fault of 
Ruger, a staff officer or Col. Colgrove, commanding the 3d brigade, 
No skirmishers were sen' forward to ascertain strength of enemy. 
The 2d Mass. and 27th lud. charged across Bushman's meadow, lost 
half their number and accomplished nothing. The enemy attempted 
to pursue them and were iu turn driven back by the tire of the two 
regiments and their supports. 

With the exception of the Colgrove fiasco the 12th Corps had 
been well handled in this affair. The casualities of the Corps were 
1,100 killed and wounded. Johnson lost over a thousand killed, 
about a thousand prisoners and from four to five thousand wounded, 
deserters, etc 

When Johnson assaulted on the 3d it would have been easy 
for Meade to have sent the 6th Corps over Wolf Hill and taken him 



in the rear aud captured the whole Rebel command with even less 
loss than we sustained, as they would have had Geary's Div. north 
and west of them, Ruber's Div. west of them and the 6th Corps 
would have formed the hypotenuse of the triangle, enclosing the 
Rebels. The Rebels could use no artillery. Artillery and douleb 
their number would have Bred on the Rebels. As it was they ouly 
received the lire of 4,000 meu and 20 pieces of artillery. Meade 
wauted to assault this force in an impregnable position on the second. 
When he had them at a great disadvantage he had not the nerve to 
take advantage of it. 

Soon after being driven out of the intrenchmeuts about 10.30 
a. xn. the Rebels were hustled across Rock Creek and made a bee- 
line for Benner's Hill. 

PICKETTS CHARGE. At one o'clock p. in. July 3rd. 1868, 
two guns of the Washington artillery on the Rebel line gave the 
signal for the celebrated Pickett's charge. For two miles along Semi- 
nary aud Warfield and Emmitsburg road Ridges, well placed, were 
150 guns pointing east, further to the north of Gettysburg were more 
guns pointing south and west aud enfilading the Union line, along 
Benner's ridge were other guns enfilading the Union line from the 
east. Fully two hundred Rebel cannon belched shell at the Union 
line. 

For 15 minutes the Union guns remained silent to keep from 
getting out of ammunition too soon, then 88 guns along Cemetery 
Ridge opened in reply, 88 more guns on Cemetery Hill, Power's 
Hill, the McAllister Hill and Stevens' Knoll joined in the awful din. 
The ground shook, the houses trembled, the air was darkened with 
shrieking, screaming, death dealing shells. The Rebels had the 
advantage of a converging fire. Had they aimed their guns 15 feet 
lower Hancock would have been shot off Cemetery Ridge, as it was 
our artillery on the front line was not much injured, but the caissons 
of the reserve artillery were frequently blown up. Our artillery 
fired 25 feet too high, Seminary Ridge appears to be as high as 
Cemetery Ridge but is 25 feet lower. 

Ihe artillery duel lasted an hour and a half, then the Union 
guns gradually became quiet as if they had been silenced. 14 caissons 
on the Union line exploded, at this the Rebel hosts yelled them- 
selves hoarse. 

As the Union guns became silent, expecting that Stuart would 
be able to come up behind the Union line at the critical moment, it 
certainly looked as if Pickett's charge would have been a success 
and it was only owing to the fact that Custer disobeyed Meade's 
orders, thereby, saving his command from annihilation along with 
Merritt and Famsworth's brigades in their wild and fruitless ride 
over Longstreet's corps aud with help of Gregg's 1,500 meu kept 
Stuart from coming up behind the 2nd corps in its hour of trial 
when Armistead pierced its line, that brought defeat. 

At the end of an hour and a half Gen. Hunt, chief of artillery, 
signalled from Little Round Top for our guns to gradually cease 
firing. The disabled guns were removed, reserve batteries galloped 
up and relieved the disabled ones, etc. All was made ready. 

Out from the cover of the Emmitsburg road Ridge, near the 
Sherfy house, emerged Pickett's division, the brigades of Armistead, 
Garnett and Kemper, these brigades moved in echelon to each other 

LefC. 



and charged over Wilcox and Perry's brigades who covered their 
right. As Pickett's division became visible to the Union gunners 
they opened on them, the valley was soon so dense with smoke that 
objects could not be distinguished ten jeet from you. Haucock, the 
superb, had ordered his guns to lire faster than 'Hunt had directed 
aud they soon gave out of shell, this caused the gunners to use their 
cauuisters too soon and that too ran short. The cross-lire of Han- 
cock's guns and the guns on Little Round Top and to the north of it 
was so severe that it stopped the progress of Pickett's men until 
Hancock's shells gave out. Hancock's guns having exhausted almost 
all their ammunition became comparatively silent, this caused 
Pickett to veer to the north. Owing to the smoke Wilcox and 
Perry were unaware of this movement and kept straight on, this 
made a gap in the attackiug line. Stannard moved his brigade into 
this gap aud enfiladed Pickett's line, capturing more prisoners than 
there were men in his brigade. Pickett's division first struck Hall 
aud Harrow's brigade who repulsed them. Pickett's left was covered 
by Scales, Lane, Thomas and McGowans brigades under Gen. 
Trimble whose left was covered by Heth's Div. under Gen. Petti- 
grew. To the right of Hall and Harrow was Webb's brigade, 106th 
Pa., 71st Pa., 69th, Pa. and 72ud Pa. The 7Jud Pa ' . air, :t 106th Pa. 
had been sent to assist the 11th Corps on Cemetery Hill. The 69tb 
and 71st were behind a stake aud rider fence 70 yards iu advance of 
the line. The 72d Pa. were iu reserve. When Pickett surged 
against the Hue of Webb's brigade from the south aud Trimble 
surged against it from the north they had to make the line of the 
71st and 6iith very thin to cover the two exposed flauks. Armistead 
with 150 followers charged through the west line of the defenders, 
the boys of the 71st aud 69th, aud the gunners of the batteries fired 
to the front while -they were being bayoneted from the rear and 
flank. Lieut. B&wan had the lanyard of his gun wrapped around 
him. He said ; "I will give them one more shot." As he fell dead 
his body discharged the gun aud devoted Rebels were blown iroin 
its muzzle. Encouraged by Armistead's success the Rebels re- 
charged Hall and Harrow's line, are mostly killed, wounded or cap- 
tured. Hall aud Harrow make a wheel to the rear, strike the enemy 
iu front of Webb on the right flank, pour a volley into them and go 
for them with the bayonet. The enemy threw down their guns and 
surrendered. When Armistead's meu' pierced the line of the 71st 
Pa. aud 69th Pa. the 72d Pa. rushed on them with clubbed musket 
and clubbed their braius out. Wheu the Rebels saw that their men 
were over-powered by Hall and Harrow they opened their artillery 
on their own men and massot Union troops who had captured them. 

Scarcely had Pickett's and Trimble's men been disposed of 
before Wilcox and Perry's brigades, covering Pickett's right, came 
against Doubleday's aud Robinson's Divs.of the 1st Corps and Cald- 
well's Div. of the 2d Corps to the left of Staunard's brigade. Staunard 
filed out again and treated them as he had treated Pickett, again 
capturing more men than he had in his brigade. Together with the 
fire from the front this about annihilated those brigades. 

Heth's division, under Pettigrew, had to advance under a 
murderous artillery tire over a plaiu a mile wide without the least 
shelter. The 30 or 40 guns along Cemetery Ridge, especially Wood- 
ruff's, was murderous. The artillery cut great gaps in the liue ol 

0» J 



24 

the enemy. The brigades advancing in echelon yelled and filled 
the gaps until regiments became compauies. Their alignment was 
as perfect as though on dress parade. Steadily, steadily they come 
on, giving the terrible Rebel yell. Now they are within 150 yards 
of the Union line. The men will be restrained no longer. Four 
lines of blue raise up, there is a flash, a crash. The men spring for- 
ward to use the bayonet when the wind blew the smoke away. 
Gen. Hays says: "Only the Angel of Death could present such a 
scene. Thousands of dead and wounded and many battle flags cov- 
ered the ground. The survivors had throvvu up their hands in token 
of surrender. The Rebel artillery opened on friend and foe alike " 
The charging column contained 18,000 men. Lee lost 12,000 men. 

Among the dead of Heth's division was found a Rebel lady 
dressed as a man shot through the heart. 

The only other lady killed in the battle was Miss Jennie Wade, 
shot through the neck by a glancing ball while she was baking 
bread for our sharp-shooters in her home. Her betrothed, Jack 
Skelly, for whom Post No. 9 was named, was killed at Carter's 
woods a month previously, of which she had not yet heard. See 
her monument in the citizens cemetery erected by the ladies of the 
Iowa G. A. R. '?w 

All visitors to the battlefield should also see the memorial in 
St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church to'the Irish brigade. It 
is one of the finest pieces of statuary in the United States. They 
should also visit the Church of the Prince of Peace, corner of High 
and Baltimore streets, erected to the memory of the dead who fell 
at Gettysburg. 

CAVALRY FIGHT. The Union cavalry at Gettysburg was 
composed of Kilpatrick's Div., Custer's, Merritt's and Farusworth's 
brigades, Gregg's Div., Irviu Gregg's and Mcintosh's brigades, 
Huey's brigade being at Westminster, Md., guarding trains, Bu- 
ford's Div., Gamble's and Deviu's brigades. Seven brigades aver- 
aging 1,500 men to the brigade. 10,500 men and Huey with 1,500 
more at Westminster, Md., 25 miles southeast of Gettysburg. 

Stuart's force of cavalry consisted of Hampton's, Fitzhugh 
Lee's, W. H. F. Lee's brigades of cavalry and Jen kin's brigade of 
mounted infantry, four brigades of 2,5^0 men each, Imboden's brig- 
ade being employed foraging in Franklin, Fulton and Cumberland 
counties, Penu. 2,500 men in Imboieu's brigade. After his brush 
with Kilpatrick at Hanover Stuart went to York, Wrightsville, Car- 
lisle looking for Early. Returning from Carlisle he had a brush 
with Kilpatrick at Hunterstown on July 2d, getting the best of it. 
On July 2d Gregg left Hanover, Pa., ami took position at the Han- 
over and Low Dutch roads at noon. He found two regiments of the 
11th Corps on Brinkerhoff's Ridge, two and a half miles from Get- 
tysburg on the Hanover road. A considerable force of Rebels were 
in front of them. At 3 p. m. the 10th N. Y. cavalry relieved these 
lost regiments, Johnson's division being between them and the 
Union lines, and sent them back to the Union line. Rank's section 
of artillery was planted at the Reever house. There was some skir- 
mishing during the afternoon. Col. Gregg ordered 50 meu of the 
10th N. Y. to advance and clear the front. A regiment of Rebel in- 
fantry drove them back. Suddenly a party of Rebs appeared on 
Brinkerhoff's Ridge on the Hanover road. A couple of shells from 






Rank scattered them. To horse sounded the bugle and the 3d Pa. 
advanced along the Hanover road from towards Gettysburg, forin- 
iug by squads on the trot. Beyond Cress' Run the two last squads 
dismounted to fight on foot. In a few moments their skirmish line 
occupied Briukerhoff 's Ridge north of the road. The Puruell Troop 
followed aud were immediately dismounted and prolonged the line. 
A strongly built wall ran along the ridge. This wall was the key to 
the positiou. Both sides ran for it. Rank's lire delayed the Rebs. 
Our men reached the wall first by 20 feet and gave the Johnnies a 
warm reception. The Rebs retreated to the woods about 200 yards 
distant and kept up a heavy fire uutil dark. Taking advantage of 
the darkness the Rebs turned our left, getting possession of part of 
the wall, from which they were dislodged with some difficulty. 
About 10 p. m. our line was withdrawn from stonewall. Gregg moved 
over to Baltimore pike, leaving Stuart a free hand to goto Littlestown 
and destroy all of Meade's commissary, etc. By daylight July 3d 
Meade found out what he had done and sent Gregg bacK. He found 
Custer's brigade of Kilpatrick's Div. and formed on his right. 

The 16th Fa., Irwin Gregg's Brig., dismounted, advanced some 
distance into the woods, but found no enemy. About noon a dispatch 
was received from 11th Corps to Meade saying a body of Rebel cav- 
alry had been seen from Cemetery Hill making for Union right. At 
the same time an order arrived for Custer to join Kilpatrick. 

During the morning Stuart occupied the high ground east of 
Gettysburg to observe Meade's rear, and be ready to assist Pickett. 
The hill back of Rummel's affords a view of the whole Union line. 
The inter-section of the Low Dutch and Hanover roads is 6 miles 
from Littlestown, on Baltimore pike, 9 miles south of Cemetery Hill. 

Gregg's two brigades, augmented by Custer's numbered 4,500 
men, 1,500 meu to the brigade. Stuart had Fitz. Lee's, Hampton's, 
W. H. F. Lee's brigades of cavalry, 7,500 men, and Jenkin's bri- 
gade of mounted infantry, 2,500 men, 10.000 men. The Rebel bri- 
gades averaging 2,500 to the brigade. 

When Mcintosh relieved Custer, the latter reported the enemy 
all around, and that attack was imminent. Custer started to join 
Kilpatrick near Round Top. Mcintosh moved the 1st N. J. under 
Maj. Janeway toward the wooded crest half a mile to the front, a 
short distance from the Rummel house. The Rebs sent out a skir- 
mish line from the Rummel barn. The 1st N. J. went into position 
behind a stake aud rider fence, and were immediately reinforced, a 
hot fight ensued. Two squads of the 3d Pa., Capts. Rodgers and 
Treichel, and the Puruell Troop deployed, dismounted, to the left 
in the open fields. The other two squads of the 3d Pa. under Capts. 
Miller and Walsh, deployed mounted on the right, in the woods 
covering the crossing of the Low Dutch aud Hanover roads. Miller 
on the left of the cross-road aud Walsh on the right facing north ; 
a squad of the 1st N. J., mouuted, supported them. The Rebel 
skirmish line was reinforced by mounted men and a battery was 
placed in front of the wooded crest back of the Rummel house by 
the Rebs. The battery opened fire. Mcintosh sends for Randol's 
guns, notifies Gregg he is engaged by a superior force, requests Ir- 
vin Gregg's brigade at a trot. Irvin Gregg's brigade was at a dis- 
tance. Gregg meets Custer and requests him to support Mcintosh 
until Irvin Gregg arrives. Custer joyfully consents. Gregg com- 
ing to the field takes command. As he does so the Rebs charge our 
right and are repulsed by Miller's and Walsh's squads of the 3d Pa. 



and Hart's squad of the 1st N. J. A section of Randol's Battery 
under Lieut. Chester, shell Rebel sharpshooters out of Rummers 
barn. At this time our left and center advance and drive tiie enemy 
from behind the fences where they have taken refuge, Jen kin's. 
B'itz. Lee's and Hampton's brigades, dismounted, give way. Out 
right remained stationary at the cross-roads. 4 squads of the 5th 
Mich, went into position along Plum Run, on left of Purnell Troop, 
extending the line to Hanover road, the rest of the Regt. supporting 
them. Pennington's Battery went into position near Hanover road, 
near Spangler house, to the left and rear of Chester's section. Be- 
tween them Randol placed his second section under Lt. Kenny, who 
silenced the enemy's battery hack of Rummel's, Pennington some 
guns lurther to the left. Hampton's brigade moving out of the 
woods to charge, our guns drive him back in disorder. 

The ammunition of the .'5d Pa. and 1st N. J. being nearly ex- 
hausted the 5th Mich, dismounted advances to relieve them. They 
reaen the 3d Pa. before they reach the 1st N. J. Its ammunition 
gives out. After tiring their last cartridge from gun and revolver 
they are forced to retreat. This euabled the 1st Va. to charge our 
line mounted, Mcintosh rode over to the Lott house where he had 
the 1st Md. for this emergency. Greyg had moved this regiment to 
the right of the Low Dutch road. Mcintosh met the 7th Mich. 
coming from the Howard house in column of fours. Custer ordered 
it to form columu of battalion on the gallop. As the 1st N. .J. re- 
tired the oth Mich, swung back its right and took position behind a 
fence nearly parallel to the charging column. The 7th Mich, ad- 
vanced to meet the enemy up to the rail fence, then commenced to 
fire across it with their carbines. The 1st Va. reached the other side 
of the fence. They fought across ttie fence with carbine and pistol. 
The 1st Va. received a severe fire on each flank. The 1st Va. is re- 
imorced, crosses the fence. The 7th Mich, gives way. The 1st Va. 
follows closely and is exposed to a terrific fire from the artillery in 
front and from the skirmish line in flank and rear. Some of the 5th 
Mich, who succeed in mounting go to the aid of the 7th Mich. The 
1st Va. gives way and falls back ou is supports. Hampton and Fitz 
Lee's brigades come in column ol squadrons, their drawn saores 
flash like burnished silver glittering in tiie sunlight, moving with 
the precision of dress parade draw forth a murmur of admiration as 
they move down toward the Hanover and Low Dutch roads. Ches- 
ter opens lire at three quarters of a mile. Peunington and Kenny 
soon follow with percussiou shells. Then caunister was poured into 
the advancing column as fast as the guns could be worked. The dis- 
mounted men fell back to right and left. As many as could <rot their 
horses. The mounted skirmishers fell into line. Gregg led the 1st 
Midi, to the charge in squadron formation. As Town ordered the 
advance with drawn sabres Custer dashed up, gave same order anil 
placed himself at the head of the column. The Union artillery, al- 
though oidered to retiie, pour grape and caunister into the Rebs un- 
til the head of column is within 50 yards of our guns. Then the 1st 
Mich, came between them and the enemy. 

Both columns advance at gallop, every man yelling like a demon. 
They come together with a crash. The Michigan men ride down their 
front ranks. The Rebels waver. Custer waved tiis sabre and called : 
"Come on, you Wolverines." With a fearful yell the 1st Mich. 
spurred on, hewing down all before them with their sabres. The 
Rebels emptied their guns and pistols and skedaddled. The Uniou 



27 

boys' sabres were always loaded. 500 held -5,000 at bay. As 500 cut 
down those in front ot them they were replaced by ranks behind, 
as the Persians re-inforced their troops at Thermopylae. 

Mcintosh sent his adjutant, Gen. Newhall, to Rodgers and 
Treichel with orders to mount and charge the Rebels on the flank. 
5 officers and 15 men were all that could be mounted. The little 
band made for Wade Hampton's standard, Newhall, Rodgers and 
Treichel at their head. Miller's troops fired a volley into the enemy 
as they passed parellel to his front, then with drawn sabre charged 
into the overwhelming mass of the enemy, striking their column 
about one-third of its length from the rear and driving one-third of 
it back in disorder to the Rebel artillery behind tie Rumrnel build- 
ings. Rodgers and party struck the enemy sooner about the same 
piace on the other side. Newhall sought to grab the Rebel flag. 
He was compelled to parry a sabre stroke and missed getting the 
flag. The color bearer thrust the spear of the flag-staff into his 
mouth, knocking him senseless and nearly the whole party were 
killed or wounded. For minutes, which seemed hours, the two 
forces fought hand to hand. Gradually the Rebels gave way. New 
troops took their place but they could not stand t'ie Yankee boys' 
cold steel. Mcintosh charged the Rebels on the flank with such 
men as he could gather. Pistol shot answered sabre stroke. Capt. 
Thomas, seeing but little more was needed to decide the battle, cut 
his way over to Hart's squadron of the 1st N. J. on the right. In 
the melee near the colors was Wade Hampton, the lion of trie light, 
on the Rebel side. Thomas and Hart headed the Jersey Blues for 
that pout. They reached Hampton. He fell by a sabre cut across 
the face. The ou side men of the Rebel column gave way. As 
Hart and other small squads charged in, the Rebels turn. They fly 
in wild panic. Our artillery opens on them with terrible effect. 
Our cavalry pursue them, killing, wounding and capturing many 
of them. Home of our men pursue too fondly and 355 of them are 
captured. We get the ridge at Rummel buildings. We hold the 
held. The Rebels form a line in the woods beyond the Rummel 
buildings and keep up a fire until night. Stuart failed to gel to the 
aid of Pickett. 3,000 cavalry on the Union side have whipped 7,500 
Rebel cavalry and 2,500 Rebel infantry. Irvin Gregg's brigade did 
not arrive until the light was over. 

During the night Stuart went to cover the rearof Lee's retreat. 

Stuart claimed he was defeated because Jenkins' biigade of 
mounted infantry had only 10 rounds of cartridges each. 

About 2 p. m. July 3d Kilpatriek, under orders from Meade, 
ordered Merritt's and Farusworth's brigades to ride down Long- 
street's Corps, batteries and all. Those devoted cavalrymen actually 
rode over battery alter battery, through brigade alter brigade, laying 
behind stone fences, some of Farusworth's men escaped by leading 
their horses up slopes of Big Round Top. Farnsworth was killed. 

Merritt's brigade had a better country for cavalry. "After rid- 
ing over half a dozen of brigade of infantry and half a dozen bat- 
teries they manage to retire with the loss of about half their num- 
ber. They succeeded in keeping Longstreet's men from attacking 
the 6th Corps. It also weakened our cavalry so much that they were 
unable to capture Lee's ammunition train at Williamsport. Even 
Meade would net have beeu afraid to capture Lee if his men had no 
ammunition. 

With the exception of the Penna. Reserves driving the Rebs 



JUL 11 1903 

28 

out of the Wheat Field, which they had orders to leave, there was 
do more lighting at Gettysburg- att'er Pickett's charge. During the 
oight of July 3d and morning of July 4th Kilpatrick captured 2,500 
wagons, 1,300 prisoners and released 1,500 of our men who were 
prisoners in Monterey Gap. This gap is on the Hagerstown road. 
Had Meade moved promptly he could have held it and would have 
had 37 miles to Hagerstown', while Lee would have had 50 miles by 
way of Chambersburjr. But the Rebel army had rested a week i'i 
the Cumberland Valley before going into battle and the Union army 
was almost dead from marching to Gettysburg to fight and were in 
no condition to pursue the enemy. Meade did enough. Why did 
not the authorities gather up the 100,000 men they had from Old 
Point Comfort to Charlestowu and put them into the intrenchments 
at Richmond to wait for Lee to come home ? On July 4th, 186 5, the 
6th Va. Cav. almost annihilated the 6th U. 8. Reg. Cav. at Fairfield. 
The Regulars lost half their number in Merritt's wild rideover Long- 
street's Corps and were largely outnumbered by the Rebels. Merritt 
recaptured 2,000 of our men taken prisoner at Cashtownon July 4th. 
Buford and Kilpatrick killed Gen. Pettigrew and captured 1,300 pris- 
oners and three cannon as the last of Lee's troops fled over the Poto- 
mac on July 14th. 

The Rebels claim to have had at Gettysburg, infantry 59,420, 
cavalry 10,^i»2, artillery 4,756, atotal of officers and men 88,754. Meade 
claimed about 100,000 of all arms. The best opinion is that the 
Rebels had 37 brigades of 2,500 men each, 92,500 infantry, 12,500 
cavalry, 12,000 artillery and about 250 cannon. 

Through the grace of God, the superhuman bravery of friend and 
foe, the battle of Gettysburg was a draw, with the advantage to the 
Union cause with plenty of men and money left. Had Hood carried 
out Lee's orders and enveloped Sickles' left God would have needed 
to use higher pressure if Meade was not to be annihilated. 

The worst blow to Lee during the Penna. campaign was the 
knowledge his troops got that the North did not know the war was 
going on. His losses were between 45,000 to 50,000 men, deserters, 
prisoners, killed and wounded. Meade's losses were about 25,000 
from the same causes. 

Every soldier in both armies was a brigadier general at Gettys- 
burg. Lee left 14,425 of his brigadiers wounded as prisoners at Get- 
tysburg, and when the Pennsylvania people made a picnic for our boys 
that were wounded they made them feed the Johnnies chicken too. 

I must compliment the South on the good behavior of its sol- 
diers while in Pennsylvania The Rebel soldier left the record of a 
gentleman behind him. , 

One incident of the campaign was a young Johnnie was mashed 
on one of our Cumberland Valley girls. He bragged they were going 
to Boston. She added "Under guard." She was wakened by some 
one pounding on her father's door the night of J uly 4th. She stuck 
her head out of the window and asked "Who is there?" "Me, Jim," 
was the answer. "We got licked like thunder at Gettysburg. I'm 
tired of the war, and starved to death. Come down and give me 
something to eat, for God's sake." The young lady came down, 
took the Johnnie in, hid him till the Southerners were gone, got 
married, reported to the Provo Marshall at Chambersburg and gave 
his parole not to fight any more during the war. 

Fix is. 




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